Church Fun

On-the-edge contemporary service was what we experienced at our second attempt at church-hunting here in the Northern Kentucky area. We entered the sanctuary as the service was starting so we did not get to take advantage of the pre-service coffee house in the lobby. Obviously a prerequisite for joining this church is to drink coffee. The lobby was made specifically to be a coffee house; everyone had a paper Starbucks-type coffee cup in their hand, with even the pastor nursing a cup up on the stage! It must be quite a popular church. Their bulletin announced that they hold a Saturday evening service and three Sunday morning services, followed by a new members 101 class with lunch. They obviously reuse their bulletins though, for when I struggled to open mine, I found it had chewing gum squished between the pages! The girls couldn’t contain their giggling; as far as they were concerned, that situation alone was worth visiting this church… for the entertainment value.

A Christian rock band led worship. I think “Animal” from the Muppets, with a bandana covering his hair, was the drummer. The worship leader/guitar player got “into the spirit” a little too much and kicked his music stand across the stage and sent all the music sheets flying. The Lord’s Supper, held during a quieter song, consisted of all Believers going to the nearest table (ours in the back of the room) , waiting in line to pick up a piece of saltless cracker, dipping it in a wine glass, taking it back to your seat, and partaking as you sat down. There was no pulpit; the pastor either sat on a stool or paced back and forth on the stage, making great use of video and power point technology during his “talk”.

We just happened to come on a Sunday that he was expounding on what they warned was a “PG-13” subject – on sex. I’m thinking – “Oh, great! What a Sunday to bring my tween and teen girls!” But we actually really enjoyed it! It was very different, to be sure, maybe too different for Rodney’s very conservative, Southern-Baptist-only-thank-you taste, but the music was entertaining, rockin’ but worshipful, the sermon engaging, and the people friendly but not overwhelming. I was also impressed that, according to one of the gum-less bulletins I borrowed from the girls, they are very much into serving the community. All members are expected to provide turkeys for Thanksgiving and toys for Christmas for families in need in the Cincinnati area; many opportunities for reaching out to the community are available. They did not seem too focused on themselves – an excellent quality for a Believer and the Church.